Staffordshire Schools Football Association

On .Saturday Staffordshire School's FA hosted two national semi finals at Stafford Town FC. The Under 16 boys met North Yorkshire SFA and the U18's met their counterparts from Lancashire. Both games were emotional rollercoasters for all involved where no quarter was given or asked but two games in which the ethos of schools football shone through.

The Under 16 Boys kicked off proceedings in a game which ebbed and flowed and it was apparrent after ten minutes or so that there was very little between the two teams. In a very tight first half Staffordshire had the best of the chances and the North Yorkshire keeper made one stunning stave to keep the tie level. Staffordshire broke the deadlock just before half time when Eden Bailey swept the ball home from close range to hand Staffordshire the advantage.

The second half was just as keenly contested and North Yorkshire were the dominant force without really threatening the Staffordshire goal but midway through the half they equalised with a scruffy goal that barely had the strength to cross the line.  Both teams now threw everything into the game and North Yorkshire created two excellent chances to lead but were unable to find a finishing touch. They also suffered the loss of their skipper with an ankle injury and as the game moved towards extra time Staffordshire skipper Charlie Pearsall wrote himself into the history books by scoring the winning goal with only three minutes on the clock. Staffordshire saw out the final minutes to move into the National Final for the second time in four years and this group now will try to emulate the exploits of the class of 2017.

The game was played in front of a large and knowledgeable crowd who gave both teams a rousing reception at the conclusion of an excellent cup tie. Staffordshire will face Bedfordshire in the final at a time and place to be decided.

Within minutes of the conclusion of the U16 game the two Under 18 teams took to the field. Lancashire had disposed of Durham Schools FA in the quarter final who were favourites for the tournament so a tough game was anticipated and so it proved to be.

Staffordshire started very strongly and dominated the early exchanges with Oli Puttnam, Dave Perreira and Kyle Ashman causing the Lancashire boys no end of problems. Oli rattled the post with a brilliant strike and only desperate defending and good luck kept Staffordshire at bay. A deflected Kyle Ashman strike gave Staffordshire a deserved lead and Kyle doubled his and Staffordshires tally before half time. Staffordshire continued to dominate the game with some lovely passing football and Lancashire were fortunate to go in only two down.

The Lancashire management tweaked their formation and they were much better in the second half dominating possession for long periods but without really posing a threat to  Staffordshire as Owen Turner and Josh Lewis were outstanding at the heart of the Staffordshire back four. Lancashire got their just rewards for their endeavours when scoring with twenty minutes left on the clock. Staffordshire now looked nervous but they regained a modicum of control and were denied a penalty but were then awarded a penalty with ten minutes to go and a chance to put the tie to bed. The chance was squandered with the ball blazed over the bar which led to a nail biting final few minutes. The boys saw the game out and they matched the result of the U16 Boys. This will be a second final appearence for the age group but they have not won the competition before.

They will meet Gloucestershire or Essex in the final.

The competitions are now nearing their conclusions and with the exception of one or two schools holding things up, despite the poor weather, we have some finalists.

Walton HS who have performed really well in all age groups beat De Ferrers to reach the U12 final where they will meet Landau Forte School from Tamworth. They won away at Codsall Middle school to progress . It is a while since a Tamworth school contested a boys final.

The Under 13 Boys is behind schedule and competition secretary will be deciding outcomes if schools do not play. Some matches should have been played six weeks ago.The Under 14 competitionhas two semi finalists, both from Stafford. Blessed William Howard and Wolgarston. Wolgarston deserve special mention as they reached the  quarter finals of the national competition. Team manager Matt Skinner who is part of the County management team has a very good side at his disposal including four County players.

The Under 15's have three semi finalists and at Under 16 jack of all trades Rob Wakelin has taken Codsall to the final. It is so refreshing to see a member of a senior management team taking a school team. Codsall have always produced good sides particularly at U18 and are a major contributor to County sides so to see their committment of such staff is unusual in the secondary sector when so many heads refuse to allow boys out of school to play matches in these days where the pressure for examination success is sometimes detrimental to the whole education experience.

Thomas Alleyne' s from Uttoxeter await the winners of Repton and Codsall  in the U18 age group and Repton are also into the last eight of the national competition.

On the girls side almost all of the competitions are at semi final stage but the u14 final will be contested between Haywood Academy and De Ferrers Academy.

All of the finals will take place at Stafford Town FC and dates will be allocated when the make up of the finalists becomes a little clearer.

Under 14 Boys

Under 15 Boys

Under 16 Boys

Under 18 Boys

Under 14 Girls

Under 16 Girls

On Monday the 3rd of February the U14 Boys entertain Leicestershire SFA at Stafford Town FC looking to extend their unbeaten league run to six games and keep a hat trick of clean sheets. Admission to the game will be £3 adults and £2 concessions. The squad will be posted later.

The Under 16 Boys are in action on Saturday 8th of February when they host North Yorkshire SFA in the semi final of the Inter County Trophy. They have beaten Humberside , West Midlands and Cardiff and the Vale on the way to the semi final. Let us hope they will be able to take the next step and give the management team their second national final.

The game is at Stafford Town FC with a 1-45pm KO and the boys will need maximum support to help them on their way.

Immediately on completion of the U16 game the U18 boys will play either Lancashire or Durham in the semi final of their national competition. They have beaten Cheshire and South Yorkshire on the way and having already clinched the U18 MCF championship they will be hoping to progress to the final.This game will KO at 4-00pm assuming that there is no extra time in the first game. Admission to each game will be £3 adults and £2 concessions.

Staffordshire Schools FA have reached the semi final of the ESFA Inter County cupwith two age groups for the very first time. The reward for victory over South Yorkshire (U18B) and Cardiff and the Vale (U16B) are two home ties.

The Under 18 boys will face the winners of the Durham v Lancashire semi final and the Under 16 boys will play North Yorkshire Schools FA. It is hoped that both games will be played at Stafford Town FC on Saturday the 8th of February with afternoon KO's. More details will follow.

The Under 18 Boys travelled to Stocksbridge Park Steels FC in Sheffield to take on South Yorkshire Schools in an Inter County Quarter Final tie. The game was played on a very heavy pitch which had not been rolled and which made close control challenging.

Staffordshire started brightly with Oli Waddison's direct running causing problems and when a powerful shot was parried and fell to Christian Blanchette he fired over. South Yorkshire were posing few problems due to the dominanace of the central defensive pairing of Josh Lewis and Owen Turner. Staffordshire took the lead from an excellent free kick from Oliver Puttnam when Oli Waddison was hacked down. Staffordshire were now dominant as South Yorkshire were unable to gain possession and several Staffordshire players were the subject of horrendous challenges in the desperate efforts of the home side to keep Staffordshire at bay.

Out of the blue South Yorkshire found an equaliser when in their first meaningful attack a deep cross to the back post was knocked back and in a melee of bodies South Yorkshire scrambled the ball home. The home side then had their best spell of the game but when they were gaining a degree of control Staffordshire disposessed them close to their own area and four passes later Dave Perreira swept the ball home to give Staffordshire a 2-1 half time lead.

Staffordshire started the second half on the front foot and when Max Dixon was played in  he raced clear to beat the keeper to extend the lead with an excellent finish. However South Yorkshire responded to score a second goal and leave the game well balanced but a second strike from Max put Staffordshire clear and such was his presence that he hit both bar and post in search of his hat trick.

Staffordshire won by 4-2 to move into the last four of the nationals for the second time in four years and will be hoping for a home draw and an opportunity to reach the final.

@staffsschoolsfa will allow all to follow what is going on and will supplement the information available on the website.

Follow the account which is being run by Under 15 team Manager Bailey Evans.